BREAKING NEWS: Boeing 737 passenger jet crashes killing all 61 passengers and crew in a fireball at a Russian airport
- FlyDubai flight FZ981 was attempting to land at Rostov-on-Don in Russia
- The aircraft was believed to be making its second attempt when it crashed
- The plane's tail touched the runway during landing, causing the plane to break down and burst into flames, officials said
- Russia's Emergencies Ministry said Flight FZ981 was carrying 55 passengers and six crew members - all who died in impact
- A CCTV camera captured the moment the aircraft exploded on the runway
- People who fear their loved ones may have been on board are asked to contact the FlyDubai: + 44 203 4508 853 or +9714 293 4100
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A FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 has crashed in a fireball while it attempted to land at a Russian airport killing everyone aboard.
Russia's Emergencies Ministry said Flight FZ981 was carrying 55 passengers and six crew members from Dubai when it crashed at Rostov-on-Don airport, according to The Associated Press.
The Ministry said in a statement: 'The plane made a second round coming in to land because of bad weather conditions.
'At landing the tail touched the runway, began to break down and burst into flames. At present, no combustion.'
Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov told media during a press conference that it was scheduled to land at 6.20pm ET, which is 1.20am Moscow time, but crashed at 8.50pm ET, which is 3.50am Moscow time.
This is believed to be the moment the crashed on landing at Rostov-on-Don airport in Russia
The passenger jet was believed to be making its second attempt to land at Rostov-on-Don airport in poor visibility
The passenger jet was believed to be flying in poor visibility during the landing attempts.
A video published on YouTube appears to show a fireball as the aircraft crashes into the ground.
Footage from FlightRadar 24 shows the aircraft made one attempt to land before it declared a missed approach and circled the airport for a second attempt.
Russian officials confirmed: 'According to preliminary data, the Boeing 738 crashed in poor visibility conditions, some 50-100 meters left of the runway.'
According to Sputnik News, Russian Emergencies Ministry’s Southern Regional Center’s chief Igor Oder said that most people aboard the plane were residents of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, but there were also several foreigners aboard as well.
FlyDubai confirmed in a second statement that FZ981 crashed 'on landing and that fatalities have been confirmed as a result of this tragic accident.'
'We are doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible,' it reads.
'At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our passengers and our crew who were on board the aircraft.
Russian Emergency Situations Ministry employees and police officers are seen as they take a car to drive to the area of a plane crash at the Rostov-on-Don airport Saturday
Emergencies Minister Vladimir Puchkov told media during a press conference that it was scheduled to land at 6.20pm ET, which is 1.20am Moscow time, but crashed at 8.50pm ET, which is 3.50am Moscow time. Pictured above are emergency vehicles at the scene of the crash
'We will do everything we can to help those who have been affected by this accident.
'We are putting our emergency response in place and we will be working closely with all the authorities involved.
'We will share as much information as possible just as soon as we can and we will provide updated information on a regular basis.
'For any concerned friends or family: + 44 203 4508 853 or +9714 293 4100.'
Boeing issued a statement about Flight FZ981 in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The passenger jet was believed to be flying in poor visibility during the landing attempts. Pictured above are emergency vehicles at the scene of the crash
Emergency crews are currently working at the crash scene (above) as the fire has already been extinguished
FlyDubai provided the above statement via Facebook around 11:40pm ET confirming that FZ981 crashed on landing
'Boeing’s thoughts and prayers are with those on board flydubai flight FZ981 and their families and friends,' the statement reads.
'Boeing stands ready to provide technical assistance upon the request of government agencies conducting the investigation.
'In accordance with the international protocol governing aviation accident investigations, all inquiries about the investigation must be directed to investigating authorities.'
Emergency crews are currently working at the crash scene as the fire has already been extinguished.
Roughly 80 rescuers were deployed to the site of the crash, as terrorism as a cause of the crash at this stage has been ruled out, according to CNN.
The aircraft involved is believed to be FlyDubai flight FZ981 using this Boeing 737-800 aircraft
FlyDubai released the above statement concerning FZ981 to Facebook around 10pm ET
FlyDubai launched in 2009, with a network of up to 90 destinations. They operate more than 1,700 flights each week.
'From our hub in Dubai, we strive to remove barriers to travel and enhance connectivity between different cultures across our ever-expanding network,' a statement on their Facebook page reads.
'Our agility and flexibility as a young airline has enhanced Dubai's economic development, in line with the Government of Dubai's vision, by creating trade and tourism flows in previously under-served markets.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3499812/Boeing-737-passenger-jet-crashes-killing-55-passengers-crew-fireball-Russian-airport.html#ixzz43KAXUW28
